A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that immune cells latently infected with HIV can proliferate and replenish the virus reservoir, which is resistant to antiretroviral drug therapy. The proliferation of these reservoir cells poses a significant challenge to developing a cure for HIV.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute found that adherence to evidence-based practices and unit teamwork can reduce ventilator-associated events. The study showed a nearly 50% reduction in infection-related complications and pneumonia cases, leading to faster patient recovery and reduced hospital costs.
In a breakthrough study, Johns Hopkins researchers identified a new way that the brain communicates with the immune system, using vesicles and small fat-like molecules to send signals. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for brain injuries by targeting the inflammatory response.
Researchers have shown that an experimental gene therapy is safe and may be effective in preserving vision in people with wet age-related macular degeneration. The treatment involves injecting a virus containing a therapeutic gene into the eye, which produces a protein to prevent abnormal blood vessel growth.
A recent gene sequencing study has identified unusual genetic mutations in women with benign endometriosis, a painful disorder marked by uterine tissue growth outside the womb. The findings may eventually help scientists develop molecular tests to distinguish between aggressive and clinically indolent types of endometriosis.
Researchers identified specific dopamine wedge neurons responsible for driving fruit flies' food preferences towards what they need. After protein deprivation, these neurons released a chemical signal that directed the flies to seek out their main protein source, yeast.
A study found that incidental findings from routine imaging scans generated longer hospital stays in over half of patients, with only 7% being medically significant. Researchers urge hospitals to better assess these findings and explore ways to safely reduce added costly days.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center discover that cancer cells hijack the DNA repair machinery to sustain their growth. By inhibiting this mechanism, they found potential targets for anticancer drugs and ways to track cancer recurrence.
Researchers found that traffic jams in the nucleus kill brain cells in Huntington's disease. Drugs clearing up these disruptions restored normal transport and saved cells.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team successfully flew a specialist to a stroke patient, improving outcomes and reducing costs. The study demonstrates the feasibility of helicopter-based care for time-sensitive procedures like catheter-based treatment.
A study analyzed Medicare billing data from over 2,300 US physicians to find the average number of cuts made during Mohs micrographic surgery. The researchers found that some physicians made significantly more cuts than others, and identified potential explanations for these variations.
A study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that the gene HMGA1 maintains intestinal stem cells and encourages their growth, supporting 'niche' cells. The discovery advances prospects for regenerative medicine and cancer treatments.
A new study found that nearly half of ARDS survivors were jobless one year after hospital discharge, with an estimated average loss of $27,000 in earnings. The research also identified risk factors for joblessness and highlighted the need for occupational rehabilitation strategies to support survivors' return to work.
Researchers discovered a positive relationship between exercise and vitamin D levels in reducing cardiovascular disease risks. The study found that exercising regularly boosted vitamin D stores, while adequate vitamin D levels also protected against heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers report that selectively removing old or 'senescent' cells from joints could prevent and even reverse the progression of osteoarthritis. The treatment promotes an environment for new cartilage to grow and repair joints, reducing pain and degradation in joint health.
A team of neurosurgeons, engineers, and Hollywood special effects experts created a realistic 3D simulator for practicing endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) procedures. The simulator's effectiveness was evaluated in early tests, showing improved accuracy and safety compared to traditional cadaver-based training.
Researchers found that low levels of the 'memory protein' NPTX2 are associated with reduced levels of cognition and memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that the combination of low NPTX2 and amyloid plaques disrupts neural activity, leading to cognitive failure.
A study found that nearly 80% of healthcare professionals believe patients will refuse to disclose their sexual orientation, but only 10.3% of patients reported the same. Closing this disclosure gap can improve care for LGBTQ+ patients, who have historically poorer health and less access to healthcare.
Scientists have identified nerve cells in the skin of genetically engineered mice that sense both touch and motion, enabling active perception of the environment. This discovery advances the search for better prosthetics with natural sensory feedback for people.
A new noninvasive imaging test, sestamibi SPECT/CT, has been shown to accurately rule out kidney cancers. The test adds diagnostic information to conventional CT and MRI scans, improving physicians' ability to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors.
Researchers found that defective forms of HIV create proteins recognized by cytotoxic T cells, which can distract the immune system from functional viruses. This discovery could help develop a vaccine to boost immunity against HIV.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that air pollution directly causes inflammation in the nasal and sinus tissues of mice. The researchers exposed mice to polluted air for 16 weeks, showing increased white blood cells and biomarkers of inflammation.
Researchers discovered a birth-and-death cycle of neurons in the adult mouse gut, with about five percent of nerve cells regenerating daily or a third every week. This finding has profound implications for understanding and treating digestive system disorders and diseases.
Researchers found a region on chromosome 19 that represses Xist, allowing for the activation of multiple X chromosomes in female embryos. This discovery may explain the worldwide human sex ratio, which has slightly favored males over females.
Researchers found that Candida yeast infections contribute to bowel difficulties in men with schizophrenia. Probiotics also decreased delusions and hallucinations in participants without a history of yeast infections. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings and determine their effectiveness for women with schizophrenia.
A new hand-held EEG device has been shown to accurately rule out brain bleeding in patients with head injuries. The device, approved by the FDA in 2016, can quickly assess electrical activity in the brain to determine if a patient needs further evaluation and treatment.
Seventy percent of patients who kept their gallbladders despite experiencing biliary pancreatitis had no recurrence four years later. A large database analysis found that many patients who did not undergo surgery within 30 days still had no recurrences over a four-year follow-up period.
A clinical trial of nivolumab found that 16% of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer survived at least five years, significantly higher than the standard 1-4% survival rate. Researchers hope to identify specific genetic markers linked to long-term response.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that learning a new task involving the hands can also improve performance with the foot, as measured by changes in brain activity between the motor cortex and cerebellum. This study demonstrates the brain's ability to adapt and transfer motor knowledge across body parts.
Researchers identify Ephexin5 as a key regulator of brain cell connections in Alzheimer's disease, finding that removing the protein prevents deficits in animal models. By targeting Ephexin5, drugs may be developed to prevent or treat symptoms of the disorder.
A study published in Nature Genetics reveals that large regions of the human genome have built-in variability in reversible epigenetic modifications, which enables cancer cells to proliferate and adapt. This variation can make cancer cells more resistant to chemotherapy and treatment.
A new study by Johns Hopkins scientists reveals that nearly two-thirds of cancer mutations are caused by random DNA copying errors. The researchers developed a mathematical model based on DNA sequencing and epidemiologic data, estimating that 66% of cancer mutations result from copying errors.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored balance and hearing in genetically modified mice with Usher Syndrome. The study's positive results suggest potential for treating various inherited vestibular and hearing disorders in humans.
Researchers found that eosinophils play a key role in the progression of heart muscle inflammation to heart failure in mice. The study suggests that eosinophils may be responsible for the deterioration of heart muscle function, even in the absence of severe inflammation.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that city living can worsen asthma in poor children, with urbanization and black race being strong independent risk factors for increased asthma morbidity. The study analyzed data from over 16 million children enrolled in Medicaid between 2009-2010.
A lab study identifies mutations in hepatitis C virus that evade the natural immune system and vaccines, highlighting a major barrier to vaccine development. Researchers found that these mutations occur outside of traditional vaccine targets and confer resistance to commonly used antibodies.
A team of experts concludes that regulatory, behavioral and scientific evidence supports making oral contraceptives available over-the-counter for adults and teens. Studies show that teens can safely use 'the pill' to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and wider access could lead to fewer teen pregnancies.
A Johns Hopkins study found lower allopregnanolone levels in the second trimester predict increased risk of postpartum depression. The research may lead to diagnostic markers and preventive strategies for the condition affecting up to 20% of American women who give birth.
Researchers discovered proteasomes embedded in nerve cell membranes, degrading proteins and expelling peptides that carry essential signals. This finding suggests a new role for proteasomes in cell-to-cell communications and raises questions about neurological disease.
Researchers found that removing GRASP1 protein reduced mice's ability to learn and recall information. The protein plays a crucial role in recycling receptors in brain cells, which is essential for strengthening neural connections required for learning and memory.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have designed a fully synthetic yeast genome, dubbed Sc2.0, which is smaller and more customizable than the natural yeast genome. The artificial genome allows scientists to study genetic questions that are difficult to answer with natural yeast, enabling new discoveries in biotechnology.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that in-home occupational therapy significantly reduces the severity of depression in patients with central vision loss. The therapy, which includes training on daily activities like cooking and reading, is more effective than supportive therapy in improving mental health outcomes.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a professional pest management intervention was no better at decreasing asthma symptoms in children allergic to mice than teaching families how to reduce mouse allergens on their own. Both groups showed substantial reductions in mouse allergen levels an...
Researchers found that adults with autism process unrelated words similarly to those without the disorder, using distinct learning strategies. The study suggests that adults with autism use an alternative mechanism to process language, resulting in a different pattern in the brain.
Scientists found that cell powerhouses called mitochondria can break down misfolded proteins, which are thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery could help explain why protein clumping and mitochondrial deterioration are hallmarks of these conditions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found no evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in tumor tissues from 125 patients with aggressive brain cancers. The study suggests that targeting the virus may not be effective in treating glioblastoma and other high-grade gliomas, which are common primary brain cancers in adults.
In a clinical trial, the ketogenic diet was found to be a safe and effective treatment option for adults with super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), a rare and severe form of epilepsy. The diet was shown to stop seizures in 79% of patients, with eight recovering within a week.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a chain reaction that shields breast cancer stem cells from chemotherapy, making them resistant to treatment. The discovery could lead to the development of drugs that block this pathway, improving chemotherapy effectiveness.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified a crucial enzyme, RAG-2, that enables precise DNA rearrangement during white blood cell development. This process is essential for producing novel antibodies that recognize and combat viruses and bacteria.
In a groundbreaking study, 16 patients with severe aplastic anemia were successfully treated using partially matched bone marrow transplants followed by chemotherapy. After stopping immunosuppressive drugs over a year after their transplants, all patients showed no evidence of the disease.